Endangering The Welfare of Children
On Tuesday, December 30, at approximately 12:15 am, officers responded to the area of Cokesbury Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash. The caller was a family member of the person involved in the crash. The caller received information that the vehicle had rolled over and that there were children inside. A High Bridge police officer soon discovered a 2005 Volkswagon Jetta on its side, down a small embankment, on River Road near the intersection with Cokesbury Road (County Route 639). Upon arrival, Patrolman Christopher Weaver observed that one of the vehicle's wheels had been torn off of the suspension. He also observed that no one was inside of the vehicle, though it contained two (2) child seats. Ptl. Weaver was soon able to locate the driver, Lucy DeJames, age 39, of North Wildwood, at the nearby residence of the original caller, the family member. Ptl. Weaver also located two (2) children, an eight (8) year old boy and a four (4) year old girl, who were also in the vehicle during the crash. The boy had a fresh scratch on his nose. Ptl. Weaver detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on Ms. DeJames's breath and soon determined that she was intoxicated. Ms. DeJames was arrested and transported to police headquarters where she was given a breath test to determine the content of alcohol in her blood. As a result, Ptl. Weaver charged Ms. DeJames with Endangering The Welfare of Children (a second degree crime), Driving While Intoxicated With Minors In The Vehicle (a Disorderly Persons offense), Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Leaving The Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash, Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Crash, and Failure To Maintain Lane. Bail on the warrant was set at $10,000.xx and court officials advised to release Ms. DeJames ROR. She was released to the custody of a family member. The High Bridge Rescue Squad responded and evaluated all three of the vehicle occupants.
Criminal Mischief
Sometime between 6:30 am and 3:05 pm on Monday, December 29, unknown person(s) punctured two (2) tires on a 1999 Jeep SUV in the parking lot of K-B Toys. The vehicle is owned by a forty-five (45) year old Manager at K-B Toys. The victim stated that he had to lay off two (2) employees the same day and felt that one or both of them may have been responsible for the damage. Detectives will be following up on the matter.
Motor Vehicle Crashes On Beaver Avenue Monday
A substantial backup of traffic along Interstate 78 West on Monday led to many motorists exiting the highway in an attempt to navigate around the traffic jam via township roads. This caused heavy traffic backup in the Annandale/Clinton Point area and contributed to several motor vehicle crashes.
On Monday, December 29, at approximately 10:40 am, a 1999 Honda Accord operated by Scott Saltzman, age 44, of Raritan, was traveling west on Beaver Avenue (County Route 626) when it made a left turn in front of a 1999 Mercury Mountaineer operated by Justin Frech, age 18, of High Bridge, at the intersection with Route 173. Although both vehicles had to be towed from the scene, neither driver was injured. Patrolman Jeffery Glennon issued Mr. Saltzman a motor vehicle summons for Careless Driving.
On Monday, December 29, at approximately 12:20 pm, a 1998 Dodge Stratus operated by Bryan Newton, age 23, of Belvidere, rear-ended a 2009 Toyota Matrix operated by Denise Meskill, age 47, of Tobyhanna, PA on Beaver Avenue near East Street. Although Ms. Meskill complained of minor injuries, she declined a transport to the hospital. Patrolman Jeffery Glennon issued Mr. Newton a motor vehicle summons for Careless Driving.
On Monday, December 29, at approximately 12:00 pm, a 2000 International car carrier operated by Kelis Vargas, age 41, of Philadelphia, PA was traveling west on Beaver Avenue (County Route 626). Mr. Vargas was operating the car carrier at a very slow speed with its hazard lights activated due to the heavy traffic in the area. As the car carrier approached West Street (County Route 641), a 1999 Subaru Legacy operated by David Hulnik, age 21, of Glen Gardner, turned left in front of it and the two vehicles collided. There were no injuries, no summonses were issued, and both vehicles were driven from the scene.
Marijuana Charge
On Saturday, December 27, at approximately 12:40 am, Sergeant Thomas DeRosa stopped a vehicle operated by Shannon Doremus, age 20, of Bloomsbury, on Route 22 West near Petticoat Lane. During the stop, Sgt. DeRosa detected the odor of marijuana and a search produced a small amount. As a result, Ms. Doremus was charged with Possession of Under 50 Grams of Marijuana, Operating A Motor Vehicle While In Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Failure To Maintain Lane, and Maintenance of Lamps. She was released ROR.
Tractor Fire Extinguished
On Tuesday, December 30, at approximately 10:35 am, Officer Jennifer Petruzziello responded to Cratetown Road for a report of a tractor on fire. Upon arrival, Ptl. Petruzziello observed a small farm tractor with a wooden trailer flaming from the gas tank. Ptl. Petruzziello was able to extinguish the fire using the fire extinguisher from her patrol vehicle. The owner of the tractor stated that the fire started when he caught his pant leg on the gas tank and ripped it open. There were no injuries.
The filing of criminal charges is merely one step in the process of determining a person's guilt. All persons mentioned in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For more information, contact:
Clinton Township
1370 Route 31 North
Annandale, NJ 08801